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manslaughter
The crime of killing someone, but without the malice (evil intent) needed to make the killing murder. 1) Involuntary manslaughter is a death that results from criminal, or extreme, negligence; or during the commission of a crime not included within the felony-murder rule. 2) Voluntary manslaughter is an act of murder that is reduced to manslaughter due to extenuating circumstances, such as when the defendant acts in "the heat of passion" or is subject to diminished capacity. (See also: felony murder doctrine, diminished capacity)
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